hasty

adjective

ˈhā-stē How to pronounce hasty (audio)
Definition of hastynext
1
as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed Anna later regretted her hasty decision to sell her car

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed we all wish our sick friend a hasty recovery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective hasty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hasty are expeditious, fast, fleet, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is expeditious a more appropriate choice than hasty?

The words expeditious and hasty can be used in similar contexts, but expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

How are the words fast and rapid related as synonyms of hasty?

Both fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When could fleet be used to replace hasty?

In some situations, the words fleet and hasty are roughly equivalent. However, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When would quick be a good substitute for hasty?

Although the words quick and hasty have much in common, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When can rapid be used instead of hasty?

The synonyms rapid and hasty are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When is it sensible to use speedy instead of hasty?

While in some cases nearly identical to hasty, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

Where would swift be a reasonable alternative to hasty?

While the synonyms swift and hasty are close in meaning, swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hasty Some of those pages have been restored, with a Pentagon official telling NPR that the military's review of images, stories and social media posts has been too hasty in some respects. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025 That could keep markets on edge and monthly returns in the red, but advisers caution savers and investors against making hasty moves out of fear. —J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2025 This development prompts a hasty, jarring disclaimer after an ending that already rings false for being too neat, forcing a tidy resolution to a messy knot of pain. —Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025 Best Practices Are Emerging As is always the case, leaders should avoid making hasty changes. —Julia Dhar, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hasty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hasty
  1. hurried
  2. rapid
  3. quick
  4. impulsive
  5. brisk
  6. fast
  7. rash
  8. swift
Adjective
  • Nevertheless, the Spaniard drove his happiness in it throughout the facility, always with his signature celebratory cigar and at no greater speed than the hurried pace of an ordinary person.
    — Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
  • While some treasure hoards dating to this period appear hurried — as if someone was trying to hide their wealth in a moment of crisis, for example — the Galloway Hoard looks different.
    — Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of hurried
Adjective
  • The rapid rise of ransomware attacks, supply chain vulnerabilities and data breaches has created an environment of persistent uncertainty, leaving organizations grappling with how to stay resilient in the face of evolving threats.
    — Francis Dinha, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Since taking office, the Trump administration has implemented rapid, significant changes to United States immigration policy.
    — Albert Sun, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • Adebayo’s early scoring gave the Heat a quick 9-0 lead, and the Grizzlies did not score until 9:35 in the first quarter.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Here’s a quick roundup of the latest news from leading denim brands.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • Clients who check their investments frequently tend to experience more anxiety and are more likely to make impulsive changes.
    — Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In Trump's impulsive first term, Waltz might've been fired.
    — Marc Caputo, Axios, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of impulsive
Adjective
  • Warhol is a brisk dip in self-deprecating self-examination.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Monday’s weather for the A’s first home game was unseasonably cool with rain earlier in the day and game-time temperature a brisk 52 degrees with some light wind.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of brisk
Adjective
  • The Bulls were already one of the fastest teams before trading Zach LaVine to the Kings.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
  • For those smaller players, staying afloat with the new tariffs will likely involve some fast, creative and strategic cost-cutting.
    — Kim Severson, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of fast
Adjective
  • Children are typically brought to the hospital after having the body rash for several days.
    — Emily Baumgaertner Nunn, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Later in the episode, it’s slowly revealed that the groom and the bride also have the ringworm rash.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of rash
Adjective
  • Crisis Planning As new challenges come afoot, is the company’s crisis communication plan updated to deliver a swift response?
    — Andrea Aker, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Be swift with SwiftScan VIP's lifetime subscription access to the app and scanning tools, now just $41.99 (reg.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of swift

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Cite this Entry

“Hasty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hasty. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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